News

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew welcomes Pope Francis

 His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual leader of over 300 million Orthodox faithful worldwide, welcomed His Holiness Pope Francis at Atatürk International Airport in Istanbul.  

"Your Holiness, beloved brother in Christ, we welcome you with great joy, esteem and love. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord," said Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on greeting the Pope.

2014 Thronal Feast: Visit of Pope Francis to the Phanar

Seminary Offers Four Hybrid, Online Public Courses in January

In January 2015, St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary will be offering four public courses, comprising an online and a residential component. Offerings include three pastoral theology courses and one liturgical music course, taught by experts in their fields: "The Therapeutic Encounter," by Dr. Daniel Hinshaw; "The Parish and Prison Ministry," by The Very Rev. Dr. Nicholas Solak and The Rev. Stephen Powley, executive director, Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM); "Stewardship in American Orthodoxy," by The Very Rev. Dr. Robert Holet; and "The Music and Faith of Arvo Pärt," with Dr. Peter Bouteneff.

Russia proposes discussion of the issue of defense of Christianity within the framework of Osce

At a meeting with the Russian journalists after the political consultations in Athens, the Russian Federation’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexei Meshkov said that Russia considered it necessary to combine efforts for the purpose of defending Christianity and the Christian shrines worldwide, first of all, in the Middle East and in North Africa, reportsRIA-Novosti.

The Synodal Choir Honors the Memory of Alexander Gretchaninoff

On Sunday, November 16, 2014, the Synodal Choir of New York performed a concert of liturgical and secular music to honor the memory of Alexander Tikhonovich Gretchaninoff on the 150th anniversary of the birth of the great composer. The first part of the performance, under the direction of Peter Fekula, included nine compositions from all four of Gretchaninoff’s Liturgies, and from his vigils, including his cycle of music for Passion Week. Leading off the second half were three solos by Irina Mozyleva and a duet with Mr Fekula, followed by six folk songs by the full choir. Solos were also sung by Protodeacon Vadim Gan, Olga Ship and Vladimir Shvets.

Pope Francis will visit Ecumenical Patriarchate and meet with His-All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew

His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will welcome Pope Francis to the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople on November 29 and 30, 2014. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew extended the invitation to the Pope during His Holiness’ inaugural Mass in March 2013.

Pope Francis is scheduled to attend a Doxology at 4:00 p.m. (UTC/GMT + 2 hours) on November 29, on the eve of the Feast of St. Andrew, after which he will meet privately with the Ecumenical Patriarch. The following morning, Nov. 30 at   9:30 a.m. (UTC/GMT + 2 hours) Pope Francis will attend the Divine Liturgy in honor of the Feast day of St. Andrew. Following the Divine Liturgy, the two spiritual leaders will sign a Common Declaration.